University Of Texas Task Force Says Guns Should Be Allowed In Classrooms

By |December 11, 2015

A University of Texas task force says handguns should be prohibited in residence halls, at sporting events and in certain laboratories but should be allowed in classrooms, the Texas Tribune reports. The report from a 19-member group of faculty, staff and students appointed by President Greg Fenves included 25 suggestions for implementing the state’s newly passed campus carry law, which goes into effect in August. The campus carry law passed this year allows licensed holders to carry concealed handguns onto public university campuses. Each institution is allowed to establish designated gun-free zones as long as the zones do not encompass the whole university. Private universities may opt out of the law.

Fenves said he would decide on the policy soon. The report suggested prohibiting guns in areas where people receive counseling or medical care. Faculty members have been vocal about their desire to keep handguns out of classrooms. Many have said the presence of guns would make them feel unsafe and could limit discourse among students. Gun Free UT, a coalition of students, staff and parents, has been vocal about their opposition to the campus carry bill. “We categorically reject the recommendation that guns should be allowed in classrooms,” the group said yesterday. “The purpose of the university is education and the creation of new knowledge. Allowing guns in the classroom undermines that purpose by chilling free speech and infringing on academic freedom.”

TCR's WEEKLY Criminal Justice Newsletter is FREE! Subscribe Here

Read Next

The Washington Post examines shootings of American children by telling the story of Carter Hill, a 4-year-old Cleveland boy who survived a serious gunshot to the head during a road-rage shooting in August. On average, 23 children were shot each day in the United States in . . .

TCR AT A GLANCE

Legislatures around the country are considering—and passing—bills to tighten rules governing the use of criminal informants. The “new wave of reforms” is long overdue for a practice that has historically been secretive and under-regulated, writes a University of California law professor.

The FBI says homicides rose nearly 9 percent last year over 2015, but a deeper look at the numbers suggests that a significant portion of the increase can be traced to individual neighborhoods in a few big cities.

Ariana Fajardo Orshan, who has spent most of her career in family court, has emerged as the front runner to lead the 250-attorney office of the U.S. attorney for south Florida. She has no federal law enforcement experience but is supported by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. Rick Scott.